RHONYC’s Ramona Singer on Her ‘Torturous’ Battle With Bethenny Frankel and Luann de Lesseps’ Wedding Woes

‘Lunch’ with the lone New York Housewife who has survived all nine seasons

Having dined and dished with The Real Housewives of New York City’s Carole Radziwill, Dorinda Medley and Luann de Lesseps at Michael’s in the past, I was looking forward to ‘Lunch’ with Ramona Singer in advance of tonight’s Season 9 premiere on Bravo.

She’s the only RHONYC cast member to have gone the distance, appearing as a series regular in all nine seasons of the Bravo show. “I’m the OG–the original gangster of the show,” said Ramona, who arrived ten minutes early for our noon lunch looking very ladylike in a wine-colored dress by Hobbs glammed up with a Buccellati cuff bracelet and matching earrings. “I love jewelry!” she said as she flagged down Michael’s GM Steve Millington and ordered some tea.

Ramona Singer, Diane Clehane

Lest you think Bethenny Frankel is the only one of the RHONYC sorority sisters to spin her reality-show-spawned fame (or is it infamy?) into a personal brand bonanza, think again. Ramona is a hustler (and I mean that in the very best sense of the word) who earned her stripes on Seventh Avenue after attending The Fashion Institute of Technology. I discovered we both started our careers as trainees in Macy’s executive training program which, for some unfathomable reason, is considered an elite training ground for careers in retail and fashion.

Before becoming one of Bravo’s breakout reality stars, Ramona also worked in sales for Calvin Klein and later opened her own company, RM Fashions, selling closeouts. Pre-Housewives, she and her ex-husband Mario Singer launched the True Faith jewelry collection with HSN (More on that later). She told me her fans inspired her to create her namesake wines, Ramona Pinot Grigio and Ramona Red. These days she’s a sales consultant for Rodan + Fields and their anti-aging skincare line. “I have always believed in making my own money,” she said.

I imagine having her own money came in handy when she and her then-husband Mario Singer separated and then divorced in 2015 after 23 years of marriage. “I never thought I’d ever be divorced. That’s why I waited to get married later at 37.” The couple even renewed their vows at an elaborate affair on the show’s Season 3 finale. But that’s all in the past. “I came through my divorce with flying colors. I’m in a good place.”

Bravo

Ramona told me she originally signed on to do the show to gain exposure for Mario’s fledgling online retail business selling True Faith jewelry. “We sat down as a family and discussed it with Avery [the couple’s daughter],” she said. “We told her we thought it would be good for her father’s website. I asked her, ‘Don’t you like your tennis lessons and private school?’”

I asked Ramona what effect her parents’ very public split had on Avery. “Divorce is hard no matter what,” she told me. “At least Avery was at college. [At first] her grades plummeted, but she was a pillar of strength for me. My daughter is everything to me.” To prove her point, she reads me a gushing text she sent to Avery, who is currently away at school. Here’s an excerpt: ‘Do you feel my love for you? …. Without you I could have never gotten through the pain.’

Ramona told me she and her ex-husband have put whatever bad feelings they may have aside for the sake of their daughter. “We both know she comes first.”

Last season on the show, a post-divorce Ramona was back on the single scene in a big way and, at least in part, seemed a bit conciliatory toward the group and even attempted to mend some of the fractured friendships among “the ladies.” Ramona credits Shed Media producer Drew Hurckman for “the big change in my persona.” She explained: “The show isn’t scripted, but he helped me be a better Ramona.”